Liquid gauge



Mar. 20, 1923. 1,448,842. G. P. GREGORY.

LIQUID GAUGE.

FILED APR.2I,1920.

2 SHEETSSHEET I Mar. 20, 1923.

G. P. GREGORY.

LIQUID GAUGE.

FILED APR. 21. I920- 2 SHEET S SHEET 2.

"5'9 g n! I? M aw Patented Mar. 20, 1923.

PATENT OFFICE...

GEORGE 1. GREGORY, 0F BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

LIQUID GAUGE.

Application filed April 21, 1920. Serial No 375,495.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Gnonon P. GREGORY, acitizen of the United States, and a resident of Boston, county of Suffolk and State of hilassnchusettsl have invented an Improvement in Liquid Gauges, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to liquid gauges and more particularly to a liquid gauge which is so constructed that it is well adapted to meet the difierent conditions met with in installingthe, gauge in differently constructed tanks of the type now in use as fuel tanks upon automobiles and the like.

As is well known, different makes of automobiles, and other power driven vehicles now in general use, employ differently constrncted tanks t supply fuel or a lubricant to the same, and this is true also of the different typesof airplanes now in use.

Various forms of liquid gauges have heretofore been used, but in order to provide the different types of tanks with liquid gauges that will properly indicate the amount of liquid within the same, it has been necessary heretofore to manufacture differently constructed gauges to satisfy the requirement of the differently constructed tanks.

The fuel and lubricant tanks now in general use, vary not only in size and shape but also to a very considerable extent in the arrangement of the baffle plates and other structure within the tanks. Furthermore, different manufacturers prefer to mount the liquid gauge in different positions upon the tanks. Some manufacturers prefer to place the gauge upon the top of the tank intermediate the ends ot' the same, some prefer to place the gauge in a side of the tank, others in one of the ends oi the tank, or in various other positions.

The liquid gauoe forming the subject-matter of the present invention is of the type in which a float is provided with a stem or arm pivotally secured to a bracket, the movement of the float operates to move an indicator over a dial to show the amount of liquid in the tank. In this type of gauge the iioat should be free to swing approximately from the bottom to the top of the tank in order to correctly indicate the amount of liquid therein, but in order that the float and its arm or stem may swing freely through the desired are, a relatively large unobstructed space within the tank is re quired. To obtain this space within the various tanks now in use, it is sometimes necessary to support the float so that it will swing in a vertical plane extending longitudinally of the tank, and sonntimes in a vertical plane extending crosswise oi the tank; furthormore, it is in some cases nccessary to position the float so that its stem extends to one side of the supportin ,1 bracket, while in other cases it is necessary that the stem e2;- tend from the opposite side oi the brackel. ll be tank is high from the bottom to its top, but the space between the walls is narrow, the gauge will probably not have suliicient room to extend crosswise of the same and therefore must be mounted to swing: in the longitudinal plane. In other tanks the bullle plates or other Ulhwillfl'ilillli ma y prevent the gauge from swinging longitudinally of the same and therefore it must be mounted to swing transversely of the tank. \Vhen the gauge is to be mounted in a side wall of the tank or at an end of the same, still other conditions interfering with he free movement of the gauge may be met with.

in addition to the various com'litions above mentioned which a gauge is required to meet in order that the same may be used in differ'ent y constructed tanks, the dial over which the indicator moves is usually rcquii ed to be mounted so that the reai'ling' matter upon the same will stand in a vertical porition with respect to the position from which it will normally be observed, and this arrangement required irrespective of the position if of the plane in which the float is to swing.

From the foregoing it will be s on that in order that a single type of '.iu;,:5c may be readily applied to dificront makes of tanks, it is necessary that the gauge be adapted to meet a number of different conditions.

.\n important object of the present in vention, therefore, is to provide a liquid triage. the parts of which are so constructed that the same may be readily assembled in different relations to each other to adapt the gauge for use in differently constructed tanks. or so that the gauge may be mounted in any one of a number of different portions of a tank This is obviously very desirable because it enables the gauge manufacturer to make up a large number of standard llll) ti o gauge parts which may be kept on hand until an order is received for gauges to he used in a particular make of tank. The orders. in this manner, can he quickly and inexpcnsivcly tilled, as compared to the practice heretofore where it was necessary to wait until an order was received and then design and niai'iut'acture a gauge which would meet the conditions imposed upon ithy the construction of the tank for which the gauge was intended.

A more specific object of the invention to provide a. liquid gauge consisting of a head having an indicator, and a bracket for supporting a swinging float, and to so construct the head and hracket that they may be secured together in different predetermined angular relation to each othcr, in order that the float may he supported to swing in any one of a plurality of dill'crcnt directions relative to the head. to thereby adapt the gauge to the dill'ercnt conditions met with in applying the same to dill't-rent types of tanks Other features of the invention and novel. combination of parts in addition to the above will be hereinafter described. in connection with thc accompanying drawings which illustrate one good practical lorm thereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a vertical transverse sectional view through a liquid containing tank. showing the gauge termin the subject-mat tcr of this invention in full lines in one position. and in dotted lines in two other positions;

Fig. is a side view of the tank shown in Fig. 1 having a wall thereof partially in'iil'fil away in order to show the gauge within the tank;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the parts of the gauge dissenihled hut showing; one part ahove the other in the order in which they may he assembled;

Fig. l is a top plan view of the g ug Fig. 5 is aside elevation of the gauge. parts of the same being shown in section;

Fig. (3 is a perspective view of a detail of the invention; and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged vertical section through the portion of the gauge to uhicl: the float is pivotally secured.

The liquid gauge forming the subject lllill W ter of the invention is herein indicated in its entirety hy the numeral 10. and this gauge is so constructed that it is adapted to he mounted in any one of a number of positions within a liquid tank 11 as will be apparent from Figs. 1 and .2. Tu the present case the tank it is shown as substantially square in transverse section. but has an inclined wall formed between one of the side walls and the top 035 the tank. as indicated by 12. This tang also shown as having the customary hatlle plates ll mounted within the some transversely oi the tank to prevent sideswash" ol the liquid thcrcin.

in Fig. 1 the gauge i is shown in full lines as mounted in thc incliucd wall 12 olf the liquid tank, but in order to indicate that this gauge is well adaptcd to be mounted in other positions, the gauge is shown in dotted lincs mounted within thc upper wall ll of the tank and also in dotted lines as mounted in a side wall 15. and in i ig. 2 the gauge is shown in full lines as mounted in the upper wall of the tank hut nearer one of the hallle plates 13 than the other. if the tank 11 is used to supply fuel to an autoniohile and this tank is located. as customary, at the rear of the automohilc body. then. in a l prohahility, the wall 15 of this tank will he tjhc sidiwall sccn hy a per son looking at the automobile lroui ti:- rear of the same and the gauge it when mounted in any one of the positions indicated in Figs. l and 2. is usually iinoh structcd from the view of a person standing behind the automobile.

it is to he understood that the gauge 10 is well adapted to he mounted in tanks ot va rious coi'istructions other than herein shown. and this gauge may be mounted in various positions within the tank other than herein indicated.

in the embodiment ot the invention illustrated, the liquid gauge 10 consists of a hcad us provided with an indicator. and a post or hrackct 1'? having a. float pivotally secured thereto. The head it). with the ex ccption ot the means for securing: the same to the post 17. may he of well known construction, and consists of an indicator 'asing 1H having a. dial 19 therein upon which the indicator or nccdlr ill is pivotally mounted. and positioned to coopcrritc with letters. uuiucrals or graduations upon the dial. Thc iiulicator 2t] is u-clcrahly oi the magnetic type in which the needle is not positively connected to the mechanism which operates the some. hut is controlled hy a har magnet positioned dircctly helow the indicator and on the under sidc of thc dial. This construction is very dcsirahlc hcraim' it prercnts the vapor produced within the liquid tank l'roui finding its way into the portion of thc casing l? in which thc indicator is enclst cd. in "u ing: l i preferably mounted in a rin; 21 having a laterally projecting flange 22 and an upwardly projected threaded flange il l. This ring: is preferably also provided with a downwardly project iug collar Bl whirh may he inserted in a hole l'orricd in a Face of the tank and se cured thereto by soldering or lirazing the under face of the flange 22 to the outer face of the tank. Before the ring: Lil. iu rigidly se ured to the tank. the should he iotzctc until the not h 2: formed within the llO llh

inner wall of this rin bears a predetermined position to the longitudinal axis of the tank, as this notch cooperates with a pin or the like 26 upon the casing 18 to give the same the desired angular alignment with respect to the airis of the tank. After the ring 21 has been secured in the desired position upon a tank, the casing 18 may be fastened therein by screwing the threaded nut. 27 upon the threaded flange 23 and a washer 521 of felt or the like is preferably seated within the ring 21, as shown, between the same and the head or casing 18 to prevent the escape of the vaporized liquid between the ring 21 and the casing 18.

The post or bracket. 17 may be given any suitable construction, but in the embodiment shown consists of a cylinder-like portion having enlarged opposite ends 28 and 29. Upon the end 29 at the lower portion of this post is preferably provided a pair of spaced downwardly projecting lugs 30 to which the float is pivotally connected. The float 31, which may be of any suitable construction. is provided with a relatively long stem 32 one end of which is rigidly secured to a transversely extending shaft 33, and this shaft. in the embodiment of the invention shown. is hollow and is pivotally mounted between the lugs 30 by screws 84 having threaded engagement with the lugs and ex tending inward through the same with the inner reduced ends. 35 formed upon these screws extending into the hollow shaft 33. After the parts just described for pivotally securing the float to the post 17 have been assembled. the screws 34 are preferably prevented from barking out by pins 36 extending through the head of each screw and into the lugs 30. The rotary motion imparted to the shaft 33 by the rise and fall of the float may be satisfactorily imparted to the indicator 20 by rigidly mounting a bevel gear 37 upon this shaft which meshes with a bevel pinion. 38 upon a rod or shaft 39 rotatably mounted within the post 17. and to the upper end of this rod is secured, in any desired position of adjustment, a bar magnet 40, a screw 41 being shown to secure this magnet to the upper end of the rod 39.

As above pointed out. an important object of this invention is to provide means for securing the post 17 to the head 16 in any one of a plurality; of predetermined positions of angular adjustment and, in the embodiment of the invention illustratedthis is accomplished by providing the upper head 98 upon the post 17 with a plurality of lugs 42 preferably positioned at an angle of 90 to each other. and the indicator casing 18 is provided with a downwardly projecting collar 43 having a socket 44 formed therein, in the wall of which are formed longitudinally extending recesses 45 positioned to slidably receive the lugs 42, the arrangement being such that the indicator head 16 and post 17 may be assembled by inserting the upper end of this post in the socket 44, and the lugs 42 and cooperating recesses 45 will serve to align the head and post in one of several predetermined positions of angular adjustment. The head 28 is conveniently secured within the socket 44 by providing this head with an annular slot 46 adapted to receive a pin 47 projecting into the same from the collar 43, spaced holes 48 preferably being formed in this collar to receive the in.

, When it is desired to assemble tie liquid gauge forming the subject-matter of this invention. it is first necessary to determine whether the float is to be mounted to swing longitudinally of the tank. or transversely of the same, and also to determine the direction it may be desirable to have the float stem project with respect to the post 17. Then the post 17 is secured to the head 16 so that the float will swing in the desired plane while the matter upon the indicator dial will stand in a vertical position with respect to the position from which it will normally be observed. This angular adjustment is accomplished by the cooperating lugs 42 and recesses 45 which prevent the head and post from being assembled except when they hear one of several predetermined positions to each other. and after the upper end of the post has been inserted in its socket it is secured therein by the pin 47. The liquid gauge is then ready to be mounted in the tank by simply inserting the float and the post to which the former is secured through the ring 21 and securing the casing 18 therein by the threaded nut 27. The pin 47 is prevented. from moving out of its proper position so long as the gauge is mounted within a tank. due to the arrangement whereby the downwardly projecting collar 24 upon the ring 21 covers the ends of this pin. The slot 51 in the head 18 is provided to receive the end of a tool when it is desired to pry the head out of its seat in the ring 21, and the notches 52 serve as clearance spaces for the tool.

It may be desirable to provide stops to limit the angle through which the float is permitted to swing. and this is very satisfactorily accomplished by providing a U- shaped member 49 having spaced legs 50. This member is preferably secured in strad dling engagement with one of the lugs 30 by a screw 34, with the legs positioned to extend into the path of movement of the stem 32. After the stop member 49 has been adjustedangularly to the desired position. it. may be secured in the same by the pin 36.

A liquid gauge when constructed. in ac cordance with this invention. may have all the parts of the same. with the exception of the ring 21 and nut 27. assembled as required by the conditions met in the particular type llO of tank in which the same is to he used, after which it is nnnecessare to disturb this assemblage as the post haying the head secured thereto in the desired position of adjustment. and the float secured thereto, may he inserted through the ring 21 after the latte.- has been secured in place upon. the tank. and then all the parts. may he readily secured in place for use hy sin'iply applying the nu 27.

The stop $9, in addition to limiting the angular movement of the float, serves also to hold the float in such a position that when the gauge is placed in the tank in which it is to i lt:-t:l, the float will extend from the post i? in the predetcriuine l direc ion. For example, when the gauge to he used in a tank hown in Fin. .2, the float should extend to the right with. respect to the post 1. in order to clear the adjacent haflle plate t3. the stop it) will support the float in such a position that there is no likelihood of the some projecting in the wronedirec ,on within the tank. Furthermore, after the head and post have been secured together in the desired predetermined relatiointhere is no likelihood of the float heing turned to an improper position within the tank, since the pin it; cooperates with the groove 25 in the ring; it to prevent these parts from heing; nsseinhl ed in any position other than tha desired.

It will he understood tlnrt since the hair magnet is adjustahlv secured to the rod 39, the magnet will he so adjusted upon this rod that the indicator 20 will travel over the proper portion of the dial as the float moves from the top to the bottom of the tank.

From the foregoing description, when read in connection with thc drawings, it will he seen that the parts of the gauge may he readily asseinhled to meet the different conditions met with in diflerent tanks, so that it is unutwessar to vary the. construction ot the gauge parts to adapt the same r',or us in ditlerently constructed tanks.

in the application of the present galore to certain tanks it may he necessary to change the length of the stem 32, hut this is a very simple matter, since the floats may he made up with relatively long stemswhich will permit the salne to he given the desired length -\\'hen secured to the shaft 33.

(laimsz l. A. gauge for measuring the depth oli liquids. comprising. in conihination. a head member having an indicator. a hotly member having: a float ringingly mounted there upon and operatirely connected to said indicator. one of said'fnernhers having a socket. in whi -nan end of the other member is slidahly receired in any one of several predetermined positions of angular adjustment, the end insertahle within said socket having: an annular 'groore formed about the same,

and a pin positioned to project into said groove from the socket nicniher to secure said n'iemhers together.

2. A gauge for measuring the depth of liquid comprising, in combination, a head having an indicator. a post having a float pivotally secured thereto, means including; a pin for securing said head and post together. a supporting ring in which said head is mounted, said ring constructed to project over an end of said pin to retain the same in. place, and means for operatively connecting said float to said indicator.

3. In a liquid gauge for tanks and the like, in combination, a tank engaging ring, a casing; mounted in said ring, said ring and easing having a projection on one and a depression in the other for deternlinino the re lation of the casing to the. ring, a dial within said casing, an indicator cooperating therewith, a. bracket having an end insertahle within said casing. said end and casing having projections on one and depressions on the other to limit the angular adjustment of said end within the casing to different positions ninety degrees apart, and a float carried by said bracket and operatirely connected to said indicator.

4-. In a liquid gauge for tanks and the like, in combination, a tank engaging ring. a casing), mounted insaid ring, said ring and easing having a projection on one and a. de pression in the other for determining the relation of the casing to the ring, a dial within said casing, an ii'ulicator cooperating therewith, a hracket constructed to he se cured to said casing, said bracket and easing having a projection on one and depressions in the other to limit the angular adjustment of the h'acket ahont its longitudinal axis relative to the casing to predetermined positions angularly spaced, and a float carried by said bracket and operatively connected to said indicator.

5. A liquid gauge for tanks, comprising in combination, a casing having an indicator therein, a ring secured to a tank and constructed to receive said casing, the ring and easing having: a projection on on! and a depression in the other for securing the casing at a predetermined angular adjustment within the ring. a post extending from the casing, means for securing the post to the casing in different positions of angular adjustment and constructed to restrict the assemblage to predetermined positions of angular adjustment. and a float connected to the post and openatively connected to the indicator.

6. A liquid gauge for tanks coin prising in combination, a casing having; an indicator for indicating the height of liquid in the tank. means or securing the casing to the tank in a predetermined position of angular adjustment, a post constructed to extend llO from the casing intothe tank, means for se curing the post to the casing in different positions of angular adjustment and constructed to restrict the assemblage to predeten mined positions of angular adjustment 2. fixed number of degrees apart, and a float connected to the post and operatively connected to the indicator.

7. A liquid gauge for tanks, comprising in combination, a casing provided with a socket having notches formed in the inner Wall of the socket ninet degrees apart, a post constructed to extend from the casing into the tank and having a head that fits said socket, a projection on said head adapt ed to enter said notches and to restrict the insertion of the head in the socket to positions of adjustment of the post about its lon-- gitudinal axis ninety degrees apart, an indicator mounted upon the casing, and a float connected to the post and operatively connected to the indicator.

8. A liquid gauge for tanks, comprising in combination, a casing having an indicator for indicating the height of liquid. in the tank, a post constructed to project into the tank when connected to the casing, a float pivotally mounted upon the post to swing in a single plane, means for securing the post to the casing in different positions of angular adjustment including projections on one and cooperating recesses on the other constructed to restrict the assemblage to predetermined positions of angular adjustment of the post about its longitudinal axis and means for imparting movement of the float to the indicator.

9. A liquid gauge for tanks, comprising in combination, a casing having an indicator for indicating the height of liquid in the tank, a post constructed to project into the tank when connected to the casing, a float pivotally mounted upon the post. means for securing the post to the casing in different positions of angular adjustment and con structed to restrict the assemblage to predetermined positions of angular adjustment of the post about its longitudinal axis, and means for imparting movement of the float to the indicator.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

GEORGE P. GREGORY. 

